Friction-clutch



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet '1. J. MACDONALD.

FRICTION GLUTGH.

1%. 334,448. Patented Jan. 19, 1886.

I71 {Ken Z57"! v C, Rfames flm do wail l 5 nz/ dmzz/ler,

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. MACDONALD.

FRICTION CLUTCH.

Patented Jan. l9, 1886.

f 0 w W M M4 6@ f 6 0 i y W i UNITED STATES i J AMES MACDONALD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS,

FRlCTlON- CLUTCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 334,448, dated January 19, 1886.

Application filed October 19, 1885.

T 0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES ll/IAODONALD, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State'of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Friction -Clutches, of which the following is a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a side View in elevation of said clutch. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken upon the line as w, and viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown, a portion of the outer rim or flange being broken away and sectioned to show the interior construction. Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view in detail of the expanding ring, a portion thereof being broken away to show the construction. Fig. 5 is a central sectional view of the loose rings which are connected with the operating-lever. Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the gibs connecting the same; and Fig. 7 is a perspective view in detail of an enlarged broken portion of the outer rim, showing the manner of inserting the frictionblocks.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts inthe various figures.

My invention has for its object to provide a friction-clutch which shall be strong, simple, and compact in its construction, possessing the maximum of clutching power, and the shipping-lever of which may be operated from any position radially to the shaft without requiring an independent anchorage.

A further object is to so arrange said clutch that the wear thereof may be readily taken up and the frictional wearing-surface replaced without inconvenience, all of which is hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the drawings, A represents a drivingshaft,at or nearthe end of which is attacheda disk or wheel, B, having a suitable hub, I), through which is inserted a setscrcw, b, whereby said hub is secured rigidly to the shaft, and the wheel or disk B caused to re volve therewith. The wheel B is provided with an annular flange, B, preferably cast therewith and forming a part of said wheel,

S.ria-1No. 180,371. (X0 model.)

the interior of which said flange Bis provided with a series of dovetail grooves, 12 (Better shown in Figs. 3 and 7.) Holes or perforations b, somewhat narrower than the grooves Zita-re made through the disk B,0pposite to and communicating with said grooves, so that wood blocks b, Figs. 3 and 7, each of less than onehalf the width of the groove, may be laid therein and separated from each other, and when placed upon the respective sides of said groove may be firmly secured therein by means of wedges or keys I)", driven between them as through holes 1)". (Clearly shown in said lastnamed figures.) Notches b, Fig. 7, are pro vided to permit said wedges to be driven out whenever it may be necessary to replace the blocks I). Said blocks are preferably made from b0X-wood,maple,or other hard and closegrained wood, the grain of which is placed endwise or radially toward the axis of said wheel. The shaft A preferably protrudes through the hub b, as shown in Fig. 2, and is surrounded by a brass ring, a, which extends even with its end, said ring being secured thereto inany well-kn0wn manner. A is a dead-shaft, to which is rigidly attached by means of a feather or key, a, Figs. 2 and 3, a sleeve, C, having a flange or part, C, rigidly cast with and forming a part thereof, said part C being somewhat smaller than the inner diameter of the flange B.

Between the part C and flange B, I place an expansible ring, D, preferably made of steel, and of a width corresponding substantially to the length of the blocks 1), against which it is designed to press or impinge. The ring D is provided with an inwardly-project ing lug, d, which is rigidly secured by means of a bolt, (1, to the part C, thus in effect making said ring rigid with the shaft A. The ring D is broken, as at d, Fig. 3, upon the opposite side from where the same is connected with the part C. Near said broken part, and

preferably at equal distances therefrom, I attach to the interior of said ring, by means of bolts or rivets d plates d d, the ends of which form bearings for the articulations or arms 01 d of a knuckle-joint united by means of the Said plat-es are provided with slots d,

pin d".

(shown in Fig. 4-,) so that the plates may be moved longitudinally, and thus brought nearer to or separated from each other, for the purpose of enlarging the circumference of the ring D as the blocks 1) become worn. To accomplish this adj ustmcnt, I provide triangular-shaped notches (1*, one of which is cleaily shown in Fig. 4, in both the plates (1 and ring D, into which I insert wedges (1, Figs. 3 and 4, of a corresponding shape. Upon driving in or withdrawing said wedges the plates (1 (1 may be adjusted, as above described, to any position desired. The outer end of the pin (1", connecting the leaves or articulations It, is inclined upwardly, as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and loosely connected by means of a link, d, to a ring, 1*], loosely fitted upon the sleeve C, a suitable notch, 0, Figs. 2 and 5, be ing formed in said ring for the reception of a pin, 0. The ring E is provided with an interior annular groove, 0, Fig. 5, for the reception of the ends of gibs c" 0*, Fig. 2, one of which is shown in detail in Fig. 6, said gibs serving to connect the ring E with a corresponding or similar ring, F, fitted in like man- 1 ner upon the sleeve 0, said gibs being em bedded in notches or slots ef, Fig. 5, upon opposite sides of said rings, as clearly shown in the drawings, so that said gibs may be flush .with the interior surface of the rings, the same being retained in position by the sleeve 0, as

in Fig. 2. This arrangement permits said ring F to revolve upon the sleeve independently of the other, while the two move longitudinally thereon in unison.

Fitted loosely upon the shaft A, and abutting against the end of the sleeve 0, I further provide a ring, G, which is retained in place by a secondary ring, H, secured rigidly to the shaft by means of a set-screw, h.

The ring G is provided with projections or elongations g r/ upon opposite sides, to the former of which I attach, by means of a bolt, g", a forked shipping-lever, J, and the other is bored for the reception of a guide-pin, g, adapted to move loosely therein, and which is screwed into the ring F, and serves to prevent said ring from revolving except when actuated by the revolution of the ring G.

The shipping-lever J is connected with the ring F by means of linksj upon oppositesides, one of which is shown in Fig. 1.

Upon throwing the shipping-lever J outwardly, as shown in the drawings, the rings E are moved in the same direction by means of the links j. The pin d" is drawn downwardly by the link 11", and with it the parts (1 at, which contracts the ring, whereupon the shaft A remains at rest. An opposite movement of said lever serves to expand said ring, and so looks it against the blocks 1) that the frictional adherence is equal to the duty of transmitting the motion of the wheel 13 to the ring D, and hence to the shaft A.

be extended radially in any direction from the shaft and operate with equal facility. In practice it may be retained in any desired position by means of a cord or rope, the advantage of which is often of great importance. As the ring D bears uniformly upon the entire interior of the annular flange B, the wear of the latter is reduced to a minimum.

One advantage of arranging the blocks b in the manner shown is, that as soon as they become somewhat worn they may be readily removed and a backing of uniform thickness inserted in the grooves I)", when the blocks may be replaced, thus saving the expense of providing new ones as often as would otherwise be necessary.

It is apparent that two or more toggle-joints may be connected to the ring D at different points, and connected in like manner to the ring E, said ring being broken in one or more places, as desired, without varying the essential features of my invention; but I prefer the construction shown.

The ring D, when drawn by the pin d, is prevented from outward lateral movement by the clips 0 c, Fig. 3, engaging lugs d (1, east upon said ring.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. In combination with an expansible ring of a friction-clutch and a togglejoint, the adjustable plates (7 d, notches (i formed in said plates and ring, respectively, and wedges d", substantially as and for the purposes specified.

2. In combination with an expansible ring of a friction-clutch, the adjustable plates 01 (1, provided with slots (1 (1 whereby they may be attached, by means of bolts, to the meeting ends of said ring, notches (1, formed in said plates and ring, respectively, and wedges (1", whereby the slack of said ring resulting from wear may be taken up, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. The combination of an annular wheel attached preferably to a driving-shaft, a ring, D, attached, as by a sleeve, 0, and part 0, to the dead-shaft, a toggle arranged to expand said ring against the interior of the flange of said annular wheel, rings EF, loosely connected with each other, pin d, links c" j, and a shipping-lever having a fulcrum attachment upon a ring, G, secured from longitudinal movement upon said shaft, substantially as and for the purposes specifled.

&. In a friction-clutch, the combination of the annular wheel B, having grooves b apertures b, and notches I), with the blocks 1) I) and wedges b substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination of the annular wheel B, preferably attached to the driving-shaft,

l provided with interior grooves having blocks It is obvious that the shipping-lever Jmay arranged therein, as specified, a sleeve, 0, rigidly attached to the dead-shaft, and by means of a part, 0, 01' its equivalent, to the ring D a toggle-joint attached to the meeting ends of said ring, pin (1 and shippinglever j, attached to a ring preferably loosely secured against the end of the sleeve 0, and connected by intermediate links with sliding rings E F, arranged by suitable grooves and gibs or equivalent connections to revolve independently of each other, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

JAS. MACDONALD. W'itnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, J. B. HALPENNY. 

